West Bromwich Albion are no closer to tying Shane Long down to a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

After struggling with injury at the start of the season, Long is now in scintillating form and has scored four goals in his last four games for club and country.

The first of his two goals against Aston Villa on Monday night was likened to Arsenal and Holland legend Dennis Bergkamp, known for his touches of genius on the pitch.

The Republic of Ireland striker was set to leave in the summer and join Hull. Steve Bruce had agreed a £5million fee with the Midlands club and had organised a private plane to fly Long to Hull's training ground, where he passed a medical. Only a late intervention by West Brom boss Steve Clarke thwarted the move.

'There are no developments [with my contract],' Long said.

'I'm sure the club will have a think about what's best for them and me and we'll see what happens.

'I tell my agent not to get in touch with me unless there's anything concrete.

'I let him do his job and I can concentrate on the football and training hard to try keep in the team.'

Clarke now has a plethora of forwards at his disposal after vetoing Long's move at the last minute.

He added Nicolas Anelka on a free, Victor Anichebe from Everton for £6m and Sunderland's Stephane Sessegnon in the summer, but youngster Saido Berahino has come from nowhere to start pushing for a place in the first team this season and Matej Vydra, on loan from Udinese, is on the fringes.

Long added: 'I was sat in the dressing room before the game against Villa, I looked to my right and there was Anelka, and to my left there was Anichebe, Vydra, and Saido and Markus Rosenberg was at home.

It's a lot of competition for places and a bit of a headache for the manager, that can only be a good thing for the club.

'I was always comfortable here. The fans always get behind me every game and stick with me through good and bad times.